Verizon in new push to buy Vodafone's mobile stake: report

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Verizon Communications
VZ, +0.56%
is making a new attempt to buy Vodafone Group's
VOD, +0.21%VOD, -0.57%
45% stake in U.S. mobile operator Verizon Wireless, according to a report in The Guardian newspaper. The report said Verizon management believes the planned combination of AT&T and BellSouth, which would unite Cingular under one company, puts the pressure on Verizon to do likewise, and added that Vodafone's recent changed strategy over its Japanese unit has raised hopes the British-based firm will change its U.S. strategy. A spokesman for Verizon told the newspaper that getting full ownership of Verizon Wireless "remains a top priority".

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